As any significant prize-giving event draws close, one notices a clamor for the addition fresh award types to acknowledge overlooked contributions and satisfy the passions of followers dedicated to specific genres.
A fellow writer made the case advocating for terror-themed awards. That would be fantastic. The same goes for board games, representing someone's personal cause. But they will have to forgive me if I try to elbow in front because like all dedicated enthusiasts, I possess a compelling case for why my demand stands as crucial above others. The demand is this: We need an award type for logic-based games.
Categorizing Game Types
Categorizing art by genre defies precise measurement; it’s very subjective, and it will always spark debates concluding with vague boundaries. There’s a reason movie academies avoid this approach. But it is an unavoidable compromise for the industry of video games, that demonstrate such variety they hardly constitute as a single art form.
For comprehensive acknowledgment of gaming accomplishments to be recognized, and for games of all stripes to have a chance for representation, specific award classifications remain vital.
Existing Game Classification System
Prominent interactive entertainment events currently feature classifications covering Action-oriented games, Action/Adventure, Role-Playing, Fighting, Sim/Strategy, plus athletic and racing experiences. Between them, these classifications successfully include many game types, allowing placement for most games within them.
Different situation exists for brain-teasing titles. There’s simply nowhere to put them. Consider three of this year’s best games, all very different: building puzzles in a particular game, the pulse-pounding block-matching in a different title, engaging interpersonal challenges of a third title. Which classification works within current classifications? Simply put, no category fits.
The Representation Problem
There are dozens of brilliant puzzle games launched regularly that have no home during gaming ceremonies, unless they happen to qualify award groups including Mobile Game, VR/AR Game, or the extremely competitive Indie races.
- One classic puzzle game received no recognition for anything in 2014
- A different innovative game missed out that year
- Well-received sorting experience got ignored in 2021
- Limited numbers of puzzle games scraped into small studio or handheld classifications
Significance of Puzzle Games
Commonly they're small games, but the art in brain-teasers is of massive significance. Iconic mobile puzzle games count as the most-played games in the world and have been for many years.
The legendary block-stacking game challenges famous sandbox experiences claiming status as best-selling game of all time; it additionally competes for top gaming experience. Logic titles represent cornerstones to the art of video games, while interacting across multiple categories.
Proposal and Rationale
Logic titles wouldn't face this problem. One could readily select five nominees with fascinating, diverse, deserving games annually without trouble — or rather, with difficulty, because you’d have to leave numerous deserving experiences.
And to reiterate, these represent titles without proper classification at major gaming awards. Logic title developers operate at the demanding boundary interactive creation, producing among most fundamental forms within interactive entertainment. Similar to film action specialists, they merit acknowledgment. We shouldn't delay decades.
